New and veteran health insurance agents can significantly enhance their sales and productivity by implementing effective time management techniques, which are crucial for sales success. Here are ten tips to consider:
PRIORITIZE – AND TACKLE IMPORTANT OR EASY TASKS FIRST
Identifying and addressing the two or three most critical tasks each day is essential. Complete quick tasks that take less than two minutes immediately—whether it’s answering emails, returning phone calls, or delegating work to a colleague. By finishing simple tasks quickly, you lay the groundwork for a productive day, allowing you to focus on more complex assignments later.
SCHEDULE TIME FOR PROSPECTING
Designate specific times for prospecting, making it a routine part of your day. Consistent prospecting directly correlates with increased success since more time spent seeking new clients generally leads to better results. To enhance your prospecting skills, consider exploring Carrie Berens’ insights on the Sales Babble site.
SCHEDULE ADMIN TIME
Setting aside time for administrative tasks like customer service and paperwork is crucial, even if they don’t generate immediate revenue. Neglecting these tasks can lead to complications in the future. Look for opportunities to automate routine admin tasks to make this time even more efficient.
KEEP ONE CALENDAR – AND “ZONE” YOUR DAY
Using a single calendar for all meetings, appointments, and tasks is ideal. Include critical deadlines and milestones for follow-up communications. To optimise productivity, consider “zoning” your calendar by dividing your sales territory into distinct areas, focusing on one each day. This strategy can help reduce unnecessary travel time and allow you to concentrate on appointments with prospects within that zone.
AUTOMATE WHAT YOU CAN
Routine tasks can consume significant time. Implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to streamline repetitive processes. Automate email marketing and appointment confirmations to save time and increase efficiency, ultimately leading to more sales.
USE AN INBOX AND LIMIT YOUR EMAIL CHECKS
Organise your inbox to facilitate easier action sorting for you or your team. Regularly review emails to identify what needs immediate attention, what can be deferred, and what can be delegated. Rather than checking emails constantly, consider designating specific times throughout the day to manage your messages.
DON’T CONFUSE BEING BUSY WITH BEING SUCCESSFUL
Many mistakenly equate busyness with productivity. It’s essential to focus on strategies that drive leads, referrals, and sales instead of merely looking busy. Allocate part of your day to networking and making calls while ensuring you are utilising your time wisely.
SET GOALS AND TRACK PROGRESS
Establish clear, achievable goals for your sales and daily tasks. Monitoring your progress towards these goals helps you stay accountable and motivated. Use tools like daily or weekly check-ins to evaluate whether you are on track to meet your objectives.
LEARN TO SAY NO
Understanding your limits is critical in managing time effectively. If a request does not align with your immediate priorities or goals, it’s important to politely decline. This preserves your time for essential tasks that contribute to your success.
DELEGATE WHEN POSSIBLE
Recognizing tasks that can be handled by others is vital in freeing up your time for high-priority activities. Trust your team with responsibilities that do not require your immediate attention, thus enabling you to focus on growing your business.
For more tips on time management, consider this article, Work Smarter, Not Harder: 21 Time-Management Tips to Hack Productivity by Jordan Bates. While it’s a few years old, the article does offer more tips than we can suggest to you here. Stay tuned to this space for more helpful broker tips in the months ahead.
